Is religious practice just OCD?

[FourtyTwo]

I saw this on FailBlog

After the laugh, I noticed the "worship" time.

If I've got this right, every day people write off a portion of their time:

• to repeatedly do something that yields no tangible benefit to the world
• to choose the belief that something bad will happen if they don't do it
• to choose the belief that they are helpless to think or act otherwise

Isn't this just OCD?

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by FourtyTwo

I saw this on FailBlog

After the laugh, I noticed the "worship" time.

If I've got this right, every day people write off a portion of their time:

• to repeatedly do something that yields no tangible benefit to the world
• to choose the belief that something bad will happen if they don't do it
• to choose the belief that they are helpless to think or act otherwise

Isn't this just OCD?

No, OCD is very distinct from religious worship. It's a particular disorder, though people throw the term around casually: "I'm really OCD about cleaning my room." Just check out the DSM IV for OCD criteria:

Originally Posted by The DSMIV

A. Either obsessions or compulsions:

Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):

(1) recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress

(2) the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

(3) the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action

(4) the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):

(1) repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

(2) the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive

B. At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. Note: This does not apply to children.

C. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person’s normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.

D. If another Axis I disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it (e.g., preoccupation with food in the presence of an Eating Disorder; hair pulling in the presence of Trichotillomania; concern with appearance in the presence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder; preoccupation with drugs in the presence of a Substance Use Disorder; preoccupation with having a serious illness in the presence of Hypochondriasis; preoccupation with sexual urges or fantasies in the presence of a Paraphilia; or guilty ruminations in the presence of Major Depressive Disorder).

E. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

I'm not religious, but not all religious people go to worship because they think something bad will happen. Some just go to recognize a higher power, or to find a place where quiet contemplation and meditation are encouraged. Be mindful of the ego gratification you may unconsciously seek when you judge religious people.

[Eric Roosevelt]

Originally Posted by FourtyTwo

I saw this on FailBlog

After the laugh, I noticed the "worship" time.

If I've got this right, every day people write off a portion of their time:

• to repeatedly do something that yields no tangible benefit to the world

There are psychological benefits, and I don't think it's inconceivable that many people feel an increased desire towards altruism because of their faith. In fact, many studies have been made on this topic. Many (if not most) religious institutions also engage in various philanthropic activities.

That doesn't mean that religious dogmas are true, or that we couldn't find more useful alternatives. But it's not true that religious practice hasn't yielded any tangible benefits.

Isn't this just OCD?

No, that's probably not an accurate way of describing religious worship in general, although I'm sure you could find some religious people with OCD.

[metaphy6]

Originally Posted by FourtyTwo

I saw this on FailBlog

After the laugh, I noticed the "worship" time.

If I've got this right, every day people write off a portion of their time:

• to repeatedly do something that yields no tangible benefit to the world
• to choose the belief that something bad will happen if they don't do it
• to choose the belief that they are helpless to think or act otherwise

Isn't this just OCD?

Definitely no.

But in people with OCD, I do believe religion has some contribution in the development of OCD especially scrupulosity, also known as religious OCD.

[Fred Tracy]

Originally Posted by FourtyTwo

I saw this on FailBlog

After the laugh, I noticed the "worship" time.

If I've got this right, every day people write off a portion of their time:

• to repeatedly do something that yields no tangible benefit to the world
• to choose the belief that something bad will happen if they don't do it
• to choose the belief that they are helpless to think or act otherwise

Isn't this just OCD?

Lol, I get where you're going with this. Ba-zing!

Random story: There's a book in the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card where an entire planet was given both increased intelligence and OCD tendencies. They were also very religious.

Their religion demanded that those chosen to rule had to be "touched by the gods." In order to see if they were touched or not (haha), they placed them in a room and watched for OCD behaviors. Ensuring that they actually had OCD, they would let them rule, and their obsessions would keep them busy and keep them from doing anything meaningful.

I'm not sure that that was really related in any way, but there ya go. OCD and religion, woot.

[Wax Frog]

OCD can drive many behaviors, such as worrying about whether religious practice is OCD

[metaphy6]

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

OCD can drive many behaviors, such as worrying about whether religious practice is OCD

lol! that statement itself can be an OCD trigger

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by Fred Tracy

Lol, I get where you're going with this. Ba-zing!

Random story: There's a book in the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card where an entire planet was given both increased intelligence and OCD tendencies. They were also very religious.

Their religion demanded that those chosen to rule had to be "touched by the gods." In order to see if they were touched or not (haha), they placed them in a room and watched for OCD behaviors. Ensuring that they actually had OCD, they would let them rule, and their obsessions would keep them busy and keep them from doing anything meaningful.

I'm not sure that that was really related in any way, but there ya go. OCD and religion, woot.

OMG. That is exactly what I thought of when I saw this thread. And Orson Scott Card must be mentally ill himself given the intensity of his anti-gay views. I'm exaggerating about the mentally ill part, but seriously... how can a man that intelligent and educated come up with such pathetic reasons to oppose this in an era where it's now widely accepted? He's a Mormon, and his OCD religious people represented Eastern religion - if you actually think about it, he's trying to make Eastern religion look like OCD, whereas his religion is superior. And the sacrificial pequeninos? JESUS CHRIST! Okay, maybe not on the last part. But you never know, lol.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by metaphy6

lol! that statement itself can be an OCD trigger

Oh, no, what have I done?!?!?